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And Merida did so. As best she could, Merida pushed all thoughts of Ethan and her pregnancy out of her mind and put her heart and soul into the part.
One night with Ethan.
One night on Broadway.
With opening night just a week away, Merida had her final costume fitting. It was all coming together. For all the blood, sweat and tears, it was finally coming together.
Back in her dressing room there was a copy of the programme, and she and Sabine turned the pages with delight.
‘Merida.’ Anton popped his head into the dressing room ‘Can I have a word?’
‘Sure,’ Merida said.
‘Excuse us, please, Sabine.’
As Sabine got up and walked out Merida gave Anton a smile.
It wasn’t returned.
‘I just spoke to Rhoda in Costumes. She said the bust of your dress has to be let out and that you’ve also lost weight.’
‘We’vealllost weight,’ Merida pointed out.
The entire cast had. Weeks of strenuous dress rehearsals meant they were all looking a touch leaner than when they had started.
But Anton had seen it all before.
‘Don’t play games, Merida. In some of your scenes you’re harnessed...’
Merida swallowed.
‘Insurance won’t cover it.’
‘Anton...’
‘I want a note from a doctor, saying you’re fit to perform, or you’re out.’
‘Anton, please,’ Merida said. ‘There’s no reason...’
‘There are ahundredreasons, Merida,’ Anton shouted. ‘There’s one week until opening night. Take care of it or don’t perform. You choose.’
* * *
It was a hellish week.
The doctor wasn’t particularly friendly.
‘The date of your last menstrual period?’ he asked in a bored tone.
Merida closed her eyes as she tried to think back. ‘Ages...’ She couldn’t even remember when. ‘I was on the Pill...’
There was just a hint of an eye-raise from the doctor.
‘I know that I was late taking one.’
‘Well, to work out how far along you are we need that—or the date of conception...’
That was easy.
